Wonder if NX will close any depots In West Midlands

[Westy]

Would it be any cheaper in the long run to build 'super depots', depending on the area, to replace 2 or more depots?

For example, maybe somewhere inbetween Wolves & Walsall, to replace those 2 depots?

Must admit I thought Dundee was 'out of the way' for 'normal' NX operations, bearing in mind other companies have been bought & sold on I think in the 90's.

North East & London spring to mind.

[woody38]

Selling Wolverhampton would make no sense as NXs dominance would start to break-up and their operations may start to become less popular. The only place that could (but I highly doubt will) be sold off is Coventry because it's largely detached from the rest of the West Midlands and Stagecoach have experience of running bus routes in the area.

I did say in my original post about selling depots, selling NX Dundee was a shock to me @ set my mind thinking about weather NX is in such a good shape as they make out.

[Stu]

Would it be any cheaper in the long run to build 'super depots', depending on the area, to replace 2 or more depots?

For example, maybe somewhere inbetween Wolves & Walsall, to replace those 2 depots?

If there's nothing wrong with the existing depots, I doubt it would be worth the cost.

In the case of Perry Barr and Birmingham Central, NX's hand has been forced by way of compulsory purchase orders being issued.

What NX decide next depends on strategic considerations. Certainly BCs routes are mostly in south-west Birmingham, with some in east Birmingham. So in that case it would make some sense to replace BC with two new garages, that wouldn't need to be as big, unless NX were planning to substantially increase the number of vehicles in operation.

In my opinion a site in Longbridge or Northfield would be an ideal base for the Harborne, University, Bristol Road and Pershore Road services.

[Westy]

If there's nothing wrong with the existing depots, I doubt it would be worth the cost.

In the case of Perry Barr and Birmingham Central, NX's hand has been forced by way of compulsory purchase orders being issued.

What NX decide next depends on strategic considerations. Certainly BCs routes are mostly in south-west Birmingham, with some in east Birmingham. So in that case it would make some sense to replace BC with two new garages, that wouldn't need to be as big, unless NX were planning to substantially increase the number of vehicles in operation.

In my opinion a site in Longbridge or Northfield would be an ideal base for the Harborne, University, Bristol Road and Pershore Road services.

Shame Lea Hall or Washwood Heath was shut then.

[Tony]

Shame Lea Hall or Washwood Heath was shut then.

They were expensive and designed for 80 years ago, much better to have new garages

[ellspurs]

They were expensive and designed for 80 years ago, much better to have new garages

I remember at the time that Washwood Heath was subject to noise abetment orders which limited some of the operating time. How true was that?

[Gareth]

I remember at the time that Washwood Heath was subject to noise abetment orders which limited some of the operating time. How true was that?

It was Quinton that had all the complaints about noise. I don't know of any issues like that at Washwood Heath.

[j789]

There is a large piece of land, currently a farm I think, opposite Sainsbury's at Maypole that I think would potentially be a prime sight for a larger bus garage. It could replace Birmingham central and Yardley Wood as Harborne, QE, Bristol Road, Pershore Road, alcester Road, Stratford Road and Warwick Road routes could all be run easily from there. Maybe even other Acocks Green routes too saving a further garage from being needed.  The road system round there is good with easy links down Hollywood bypass to the M42 if needed. It would be even better if NXWM got Redditch routes from Diamond as they could operate those from Maypole too via the a435 allowing Redditch depot to close.
There surely must be large savings through consolidation like this.

[Tony]

There is a large piece of land, currently a farm I think, opposite Sainsbury's at Maypole that I think would potentially be a prime sight for a larger bus garage. It could replace Birmingham central and Yardley Wood as Harborne, QE, Bristol Road, Pershore Road, alcester Road, Stratford Road and Warwick Road routes could all be run easily from there. Maybe even other Acocks Green routes too saving a further garage from being needed.  The road system round there is good with easy links down Hollywood bypass to the M42 if needed. It would be even better if NXWM got Redditch routes from Diamond as they could operate those from Maypole too via the a435 allowing Redditch depot to close.
There surely must be large savings through consolidation like this.

NX have no intention of Super garages

[BK63 YWP]

There has been investment in new buses in Wolverhampton,  but as I said routes like the 59 used to be prime bus routes but Wolves Town centre does not seem the popular destination it once  & from the amount of empty buses I c going into the town this had started before COVID,  wondered how much profit NX make from there Wolverhampton depot.

59s I have seen have had decent loading and often gets a mixed bag of hybrids, platinums, b7s and tridents.

Didn't the 559/560 recieves those tridents from new?

[winston]

There is a large piece of land, currently a farm I think, opposite Sainsbury's at Maypole that I think would potentially be a prime sight for a larger bus garage. It could replace Birmingham central and Yardley Wood as Harborne, QE, Bristol Road, Pershore Road, alcester Road, Stratford Road and Warwick Road routes could all be run easily from there. Maybe even other Acocks Green routes too saving a further garage from being needed.  The road system round there is good with easy links down Hollywood bypass to the M42 if needed. It would be even better if NXWM got Redditch routes from Diamond as they could operate those from Maypole too via the a435 allowing Redditch depot to close.
There surely must be large savings through consolidation like this.

NX had the opportunity to buy Redditch off First along with Kidderminster & chose not to proceed.

[Kevin]

If there's nothing wrong with the existing depots, I doubt it would be worth the cost.

In the case of Perry Barr and Birmingham Central, NX's hand has been forced by way of compulsory purchase orders being issued.

What NX decide next depends on strategic considerations. Certainly BCs routes are mostly in south-west Birmingham, with some in east Birmingham. So in that case it would make some sense to replace BC with two new garages, that wouldn't need to be as big, unless NX were planning to substantially increase the number of vehicles in operation.

In my opinion a site in Longbridge or Northfield would be an ideal base for the Harborne, University, Bristol Road and Pershore Road services.

Longbridge area would be fairly logical. Huge site there still waiting for development to start.

East Brum sort of Chelmsley Wood way would be equally logical and could also take the 94 off Perry Barr.

[Solo1]

Wonder why nx bus didn't buy Redditch & Kidderminster

[2206]

East Brum sort of Chelmsley Wood way would be equally logical and could also take the 94 off Perry Barr.

Or somewhere in East Birmingham such as some of the Drews Lane site or somewhere else nearby so it could take 28, 55/94, 14, X12/X70, 97, 67 as its not to far from any of those routes.
Would then make sense for AG to get X1/X2/60 as Yardley is very close to AG and then 11A/11C to PB I think (with 28/94/67 gone from there).

[Sayeed]

Longbridge area would be fairly logical. Huge site there still waiting for development to start.

East Brum sort of Chelmsley Wood way would be equally logical and could also take the 94 off Perry Barr.

Plus having a college with recently built engineering facilities by the depot, it could be beneficial for them. Don't know about now but I remember when I left the college back in 2014, JLR used to fund the courses and trainings there.